Good Old Days: May 21, 2020

125 years ago

The Commoner

May 24, 1895

Advancing grain prices in Chicago and other markets have had their inevitable effect upon the local markets. Throughout the week offerings in Colfax have been 40 cents a bushel for No. 1, and at this price several small lots have been sold. Although but few sales for future delivery have been made, several buyers in different parts of the county are willing to contract for wheat at 40 cents. The general sentiment in grain centers seems to be that this year's market will open at a better figure than 40 cents.

100 years ago

The Colfax

Commoner

May 21, 1920

The Easum Brothers who have the contract for the erection of the Spring Creek bridge have a force of men at work on the structure which is to be completed as soon as possible. The Main Street has been closed while the bridge is under construction and the contractors have agreed with the Mayor and the members of the city council to rush the construction work in order that the street may be again opened for traffic with the least possible delay.

The sills of the old wooden structure were found to be in bad condition and the structure might have collapsed under some heavy load this summer had not the old structure been torn down. The new bridge is to be a permanent concrete bridge and it will be built to last for a century.

75 years ago

The Colfax Gazette-

Commoner

May 25, 1945

A 140-foot steel bridge, in disuse since the state highway was relocated west of Hooper, was given to the state parks board by the county commissioners Wednesday to overpass the Union Pacific track on the approach to Palouse Falls park.

The bridge was accepted by Harry T. Martin state parks director, and T. Martin, state parks director, and John L. Chambers, parks engineer who were here Wednesday to confer with the commissioners and Engineer Redmond on the development of Steptoe Butte park; with Virgil T. McCroskey, donor of the 40 acres at the top and right-of-way for the road that will follow a five percent grade to an elevation of 3,660 feet at the summit, and with Harold Mast, who has been given the contract to build the road.

50 years ago

The Colfax Gazette

May 21, 1970

Colfax's “Mr. Drugstore” for the past half century – Claude Edgren – is taking life a bit easier these days but he still keeps a hand in management of Elk Drug Store with his partner-son, Roger, and is spending more time than ever on the job as a member of the Washington State Board of Pharmacy.

The “old timer” of Elk Drug will spend a god share of this weekend behind the counter greeting a few hundred of the thousands of friends he's made since 1920 – because Elk Drug is going to observe its “golden anniversary” in the Edgren family.

To the “Johnny-come-latelies” the name Elk Drug and Edgren are one – but to the old, old timers, Elk Drug Store is also associated with a pioneer Whitman County name – McCroskey.

***

Construction of a 480,000-bushel grain terminal at Port Central Ferry is “on schedule” and the facility should be ready for use by the end of July, Ronald Gruber Concrete Silo, Visalia, Calif. Told the Colfax Gazette Monday.

Slipping of the first of eight 60,000 bushel concrete tanks began Tuesday and the contractor said his schedule called for completion at the rate of about one per week. He predicted the first silo would be up to 80 feet by tomorrow, when business and industrial leaders from the Inland Empire will visit the site on a tour sponsored by the Port of Whitman.

Foundations have been poured for all eight tanks, the scale house and the conveyor belt that will transfer grain from the tanks to barges anchored off the shore. A one-story concrete block structure to house all controls has been completed and much of the equipment is awaiting installation.

25 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

May 25, 1995

The old Milwaukee Railroad overpass at Rock Lake came down hard on Monday as Motley and Motley and others worked to bring this ancient titan to the ground.

For the better part of the morning, crews went at the old trestle, striking blow after blow at it with various pieces of hardware until finally, around 10:15, the bitter old bridge gave up the fight and collapsed to the earth.

The 235 Excavator, operated by Paul Kramer,the D9G1 Caterpillar driven by Bill Motley and the Kamatzu Bulldozer driven by Clint Miller were all used in the final destruction of the overpass.

***

Film crews from the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) visited Oakesdale School on May 6,7, and 8 to film segments of its upcoming 8-part documentary series “Technology in the Classroom.” Oakesdale was one of only three other “STAR” (technologically advanced) schools in the nation that were chosen for the series.

“Technology in the Classroom” will provide an in depth look at how our children are using advancements to learn; specifically, what new types of technology are helping them keep up with the every changing pace of our world today.

Lisa Holmes, Oakesdale High School Principal, said Oakesdale's programs took off after a seven-year study was completed “and technology became the number one priority.”

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

May 27, 2010

An increase in the population of buck-toothed creek dwellers is proving to be a nuisance to farmers, road officials and many other Whitman County residents.

Beaver activity is on the rise throughout the Palouse, annoying their neighbors and wreaking havoc along creek beds.

“There seems to be more every year,” said county Public Works Director Mark Storey.

Storey said no roads have so far washed out, but one dam near Rosalia has caused flooding over the roadway. He noted the county's biggest problem arises when a beaver builds one of its dams in a culvert or under a small bridge.

***

Twelve-year-old Logan Freer pulls a crumpled dollar bill out of his pocket and lays it down on the counter of the Cougar Foodmart in Colfax to buy candy for himself and his little brother, Creed.

Next Tuesday, Logan and Creed will need an additional eight cents to accompany his folding money, as Washington begins collecting its new sales tax on candy.

Grocers are struggling to figure out how to apply the complicated sales tax.

“It's going to be overwhelming,” said Jeff McLeod, owner of the Palouse Market.